Shiloh Sailors reach out in Saipan

Photo By Petty Officer 2nd Class Kevin Cunningham | Sailors assigned to the Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Shiloh (CG 67), play games with students at the Brilliant Star Montessori School in Saipan during a cultural exchange. Shiloh is in Saipan for a scheduled port visit after participating in Valiant Shield, a U.S.-only exercise integrating 18,000 U.S. Navy, Air Force, Army, and Marine Corps personnel, more than 200 aircraft and 19 surface ships, offering real-world joint operational experience to develop capabilities that provide a full range of options to defend U.S. interests and those if its allies and partners. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Kevin V. Cunningham/Released)  

SAIPAN, NORTHERN MARIANA ISLANDS

09.25.2014

Courtesy Story

USS Shiloh

By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Kevin V. Cunningham

SAIPAN – Sailors assigned to the Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Shiloh (CG 67) took part in a cultural exchange at the Brilliant Star Montessori School in Saipan, Sept. 25.

“It was a great opportunity to share with the local students who were interested in the Navy,” said Shiloh Chaplain Lt. Autumn M. Wilson. “I was surprised at how much they knew about different ships and our life. It was great to see their thirst for more knowledge.”

The Sailors started by introducing themselves and telling about their jobs in the Navy. They presented the students with a slide show of life on the ship and participated in some classroom games.

“This was the highlight of my port visit,” sain Religious Specialist 3rd Class Curran B. Croft-Greenwell, from Holden, Maine. “It’s a great feeling being able to share my life in the Navy with local children and to see their interest.

“We have many outside presenters come visit us here,” said Richard Sikkel, the school principal, “but this is the first time any American Sailors have come; we appreciate it and look forward to more visits in the future.”

The port visit provided the crew with an operational break after participating in Valiant Shield, a U.S.-only exercise integrating 18,000 U.S. Navy, Air Force, Army, and Marine Corps personnel.

Fostering diplomatic relations with allies through friendly community interactions in port is part of America's maritime strategy to build a joint coalition force of allies capable of ensuring maritime security.

Shiloh is on deployment in the 7th Fleet area of operations supporting security and stability in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region.

• Date Taken: 09.25.2014
• Date Posted: 09.26.2014 08:18
• Story ID: 143350
• Location: SAIPAN, MP